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How to make the most of your 3rd year at university

Nora Blackie
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When you first start university, the crucial 3rd year appears far away and the thought of writing 10,000 words or more will barely cross your mind. However, the years pass quickly and before you realise it, the pressure starts mounting. There is no point in sugar coating it, by the end of the year, the word “bibliography” will strike fear into your heart. It’s not all doom and gloom though, 3rd year is full of lifelong memories and celebrations.

Here are our helpful tips on how to make the most out of your 3rd-year academics and continue to enjoy the freedom student life offers with your mates:

 

Establish a routine

Making sure to establish a routine early on can help you further down the line. At the beginning of the year, motivation will be high, but 3rd year is a marathon, not a sprint and keeping that motivation up will be easier with a routine. You can prevent burnout and ensure that you have enough time to enjoy your last year of university by making little daily efforts.

 

Use your uni resources

The variety of tools the university provides to support your success in 3rd year may surprise you. There are lecturers and students all throughout the campus that are ready to assist you, as well as modules that can help you use the library and Google searches more effectively so that you can access the best resources available.

 

Keep healthy and socialise

While physical health is important for performing at your best, it's easy to overlook the need for socialising and downtime for the mind. To enhance dopamine and achieve a better work-life balance, make sure you get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and spend time with your friends.

 

Keep an eye on your money

It's easy to start pampering yourself more than normal once the stress of 3rd year sets in — a few food deliveries here, perhaps a new top there. However, financial anxiety is a common cause of depression and is felt by everyone. Making sure you have a budget in place will help you feel less stressed and allow you to indulge in delights guilt-free. Money Saving Expert do a great budget guide that can help you keep track of all your needs and make sure you don’t overspend.

 

Don’t be afraid to talk about it

3rd year can be very overwhelming for everyone and the pressure to achieve greatness is constantly hanging over students’ heads. Bottling up this stress will only make it worse as the year goes on, don’t be afraid to offload and talk about your worries, often you will find your friends are feeling similar and weekly chats can be a great stress reliever. However, it is also important to know when to reach out to professionals, many universities offer well-being support services that can help when the burden of talking to friends and families feels too much to take on. Speak with your Student Union or check out your university website to find out more about these services.

 

Looking for job opportunities

As 3rd year begins it can often feel like everyone has their after-uni plans figured out but it’s important to remember there is no requirement to have it all sorted before you leave university. Grad employment can be found all the way up until the summer and there are many resources available to help you start planning in the background. Many graduate schemes are offered at the start of term so it’s best to take time to look over all your options throughout the year to alleviate any stress of the future.

 

Taking the next step

Finishing university is a daunting task but there are so many resources to help you enter adult life without a hiccup. Why not check out our sectors over on our website here and have a look at the grad roles we have to offer?

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